How to Get a 6 Month Visa for Bali in 2026

The most practical route to a 6-month stay in Bali in 2026 is the Second Home Visa, which grants an initial one-year stay but can be scaled to your needs, or the Social Cultural Visa (B211A) combined with extensions, which together can cover roughly 6 months. Neither option requires Indonesian employer sponsorship, making both well suited to digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term expats.

The B211A Social Cultural Visa: The Classic 6-Month Path

The B211A is the most commonly used visa for people who want to stay in Bali for an extended period without committing to a full year. It is issued as a 60-day single-entry visa, but you can extend it four times inside Indonesia, each extension adding 30 days. That gives you a potential total of 60 plus 120 days, which works out to around 6 months in practice.

To apply, you need a sponsor, typically an Indonesian individual or a licensed visa agent who acts as a formal guarantor. Most long-stayers use a reputable Bali-based visa agency for this, which costs between IDR 500,000 and IDR 1,500,000 for the sponsorship letter alone. You apply at an Indonesian consulate or embassy in your home country, or in a nearby country such as Singapore, Malaysia, or Australia. Processing usually takes 3 to 7 business days.

Once you arrive in Bali, you visit the local immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) in Denpasar or Singaraja to handle each 30-day extension. Each extension costs around IDR 500,000 in official government fees, plus agency fees if you use a service. Budget roughly IDR 3,000,000 to IDR 5,000,000 total for a full 6-month run when you factor in all extensions and agency costs. Extensions can also be handled by a visa agent on your behalf, which saves time and avoids language barriers at the immigration office.

The Second Home Visa: Better Value for Longer Stays

Introduced in late 2022 and still active in 2026, the Second Home Visa (C6) grants a 5 or 10-year multiple-entry stay and is issued for one year at a time. While this sounds like overkill for a 6-month stay, it is increasingly popular among digital nomads who plan to base themselves in Bali long term because it removes the repetitive extension cycle entirely.

The key requirement is proof of funds: you must show a minimum of USD 130,000 in a personal bank account or invest an equivalent amount in Indonesian assets. This is a hard requirement and is not negotiable. If you meet this threshold, the visa costs approximately IDR 3,000,000 in government fees and can be arranged through a licensed visa agent or directly with immigration. You do not need a sponsor or an employer.

For someone staying exactly 6 months, the Second Home Visa is only practical if you plan to return to Bali frequently in future years and want a long-term solution. For a single 6-month visit, the B211A path is more cost-effective.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Visa Process in Bali

Always use a licensed visa agent with verifiable reviews, particularly if you are unfamiliar with Indonesian bureaucracy. Agents in areas like Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud are easy to find and charge transparent fees. Ask specifically whether they handle the extension in person on your behalf or simply provide paperwork.

Keep digital and physical copies of every immigration document, including your arrival card, extension receipts, and your ITAS card if applicable. Immigration officers may request these at any point. Set calendar reminders at least 7 days before each extension deadline to avoid overstaying, which results in fines of IDR 1,000,000 per day and can affect future visa eligibility.

If you plan to work remotely for a foreign company while in Bali, the B211A and Second Home Visa are the most commonly used options in 2026. Indonesia launched a Digital Nomad Visa framework in prior years, but as of mid-2026, the B211A with remote work handled outside Indonesian payroll remains the practical standard for most foreign remote workers. Always consult a licensed immigration consultant for advice specific to your nationality and situation.